ASPRS Certification Program

The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing has a certification program in place that could provide ample support to boost your career forward.  As of current, there are just a few certifications available for the GIS industry.  The ASPRS, one of the longest standing programs, was started in 1975 with the Certified Photogrammetrist category and added two additional categories in 1991.  In 1998, the program began requiring an examination to be taken in order receive one of the certifications.  The ASPRS Board of Directors approved a Provisional Certification Program in 2006 to allow students certification eligibility since most do not meet the experience requirements of the program.

Here are the certification categories that ASPRS offers:

1. Certified Photogrammetrist
2. Certified Mapping Scientist, GIS/LIS
3. Certified Mapping Scientist, Remote Sensing
4. Certified Photogrammetric Technologist
5. Certified GIS/LIS Technologist
6. Certified Remote Sensing Technologist

Note that there are provisional certifications in all the above categories for graduating seniors in geospatial sciences.  This is an advantage that educators should publicize to their student.  Having even a provisional certification can give newly graduating students a boost to their career.

Application Process:

• Complete application
• Provide four references
• Have successful peer review
• Pass an exam in the chosen category

Here is a summary of the process for the professional certification [the first three categories] [it's similar for the Technologists as highlighted below]

The rules for certification are: six years total experience are required of which three are professional in nature. Application forms are filed with four references and are sent to a peer review group for evaluation.Those who pass peer review are eligible to take the four-hour multiple choice examination which is given, as needed, in a location in the US relatively close to where examinee lives. When required, overseas exams are arranged on a case-by-case basis. The Examination consists of questions a professional should be able to answer in areas such as earth sciences, surveying, physics, imaging systems, photogrammetry and GIS. There is no primer as with the Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor examination. Those not passing are allowed to retake the exam within six months of notification at no additional cost.

The application fee is $275 for ASPRS members and $400 for non-members.

Membership information is available at:
http://www.asprs.org/membership/

The Certification and Recertification Guidelines:
http://www.asprs.org/membership/certification/certification_guidelines.html

Application for Certified Photogrammetrist or Mapping Scientist:
http://www.asprs.org/membership/certification/certification_app.pdf

Reference form:
http://www.asprs.org/membership/certification/reference_form.pdf

Exam questions matrices by category:
http://www.asprs.org/membership/certification/certification_examination_matrix.html

In preparing for the certification exam, workshops are usually offered  to help the applicants.  These workshops usually take place during the ASPRS Annual conference.  Check the website for more details.  The workshops are described as follows:

The purpose of this workshop is to prepare individuals who are planning to sit for the ASPRS Certification exams. The workshop will begin by explaining the purpose and form of the exam. It will then identify key topical areas which an applicant should be aware of prior to taking the exam. The instructor will review the basic concepts and sample questions to show how these topics will be tested for on the exam. Finally, the workshop will identify resources which exam takers should be aware of and study from in their preparation for the examination.

Workshop Topics Include:

• Purpose of the exam
• Photogrammetry
• Remote Sensing
• Geographic Information Systems
• Other topical areas of importance in preparation for the exam

Here are some suggested texts for examination review:

• Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
• Elements of Photogrammetry with Applications in GIS, Wolf and Dewitt 1999
• The Glossary of the Mapping Sciences, 1994
• Manual of Photogrammetry – Fifth Edition, ASPRS 2004

As noted in the list of available categories, there is a certification program for Photogrammetric Technologists, Remote Sensing Technologists, and GIS/LIS Technologists.   These technologists areas only require three years of experience instead of six.  Check the Guidelines for additional details.

If you would like more information, please visit www.asprs.org or request additional information from certification@asprs.org.

Thanks to Jesse Winch, Program Manager with ASPRS, for this valuable information.